May Evening Walk: Water End

We were in the middle of that hot dry spell so it was a perfect evening for the 14 walkers and two dogs who set off from Wheathampstead. Within a few minutes of the start, we’d admired the piglets in assorted colours (for once in the pen close to the path) and could catch glimpses of the ‘miniature horses’ though the hedge alongside – but fate was about to step in. A huge tree had been brought down by the high winds, right across the path along the Meads. An intrepid investigation by Dave concluded that there was no way to pass and fortunately an alternative was nearby. After that it was all easy going: the dogs looked longingly at the river (fenced now to protect the water voles) and had to make do with rabbits to chase. We admired the house at Water End and Nick regaled us with tales of how the Greenway featured in the TV series Band of Brothers. A long stretch of open countryside, bordered by woods, surprised us with its feeling of remoteness. Even returning along the Greenway we saw no other walkers. We rounded off the evening with drinks in the Bull. Dee